[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 54 (Tuesday, April 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E709]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  QUEEN ESTHER CHAPTER NO. 1, ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR, PRINCE HALL 
                    AFFILIATION CELEBRATES 125 YEARS

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 1999

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate and celebrate the 
Queen Esther Chapter No. 1, Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall 
Affiliation, of the District of Columbia, on the occasion of its 125th 
birthday.
  The Queen Esther Chapter No. 1, Order of the Eastern Star, Prince 
Hall Affiliation, is a female organization that is part of Free 
Masonry, and was the first Eastern Star Chapter for women of color. It 
is a nonprofit organization dedicated to community involvement and 
improvement, the provision of scholarships for our youth, support of 
our public schools, and service to the indigent. The chapter was 
organized in the home of its founder, Sister Georgiana Thomas, on 
December 1, 1874 by Brother Thornton A. Jackson, Pythagoras Lodge No. 
9., F. and A.M., who received the Degree of Adoptive Rite of the 
Eastern Star from Brother C.B. Case, a deputy and agent of Robert 
McCoy, 33 deg., the Supreme Patron of the Rite of Adoption of the 
World. The chapter's first Worthy Matron was Sister Martha Welch and 
the first Worthy Patron was Brother Thornton A. Jackson.
  In 1875, Pythagoras Lodge No. 9, F. and M. presented the chapter with 
its first badges, known as Rosettes, emblems of power, honor, and 
ability. W.P. Thornton A. Jackson wished the chapter success and 
prosperity, and admonished the members to wear the badges with dignity, 
keeping ever before them the memory of the five heroines, Adah, Ruth, 
Esther, Martha, and Electa. Queen Esther Chapter was under the complete 
directives of Pythagoras Lodge No. 9 from 1874 until 1892, when the 
Georgiana Thomas Grand Chapter was organized.
  The history of Queen Esther Chapter is rich in tradition and honors. 
The first among them being Sister Georgiana Thomas, P.M., after whom 
the Georgiana Thomas Grand Chapter was named, Sister Marie I. Smith for 
whom the Marie I. Smith Court of Cyrenes was named, and Phyllis S. 
Byrd, P.M. who became P.G.W.M., P.I.G.M., and after whom the Phyllis S. 
Bird Youth Fraternity was named.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the Members of this body to join me in wishing the 
Queen Esther Chapter No. 1, Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall 
Affiliation, a future that is as glorious as its past.

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